Cathal Coughlan - Black River Falls (2000)Cathal Coughlan is a former member of Microdisney (with Sean O'Hagan of The High Llamas) and the Fatima Mansions and "Black River Falls" was his 2nd solo effort.
A deeply somber folkish record.

Two generations of electronic musicians are combining perfectly here!These are the 1st two volumes of the "The Dark Side of the Moog" series created by Namlook and Schulze, though, in some volumes, they also have the collaboration of Bill Laswell.Enjoy!

Joby Talbot became quite well known as arranger, conducter and performer of The Divine Comedy in such excellent records as "Casanova", "Fin de Siècle" or "Absent Friends". He has also written cinema and TV soundtracks along with some more classical stuff wich is what we're talking about here.

The materials and processes he uses are generally simple and transparent, but effective. The results are frequently moving, and often beautiful. (Taken from the Gramophone Magazine)

Thursday, 29 January 2009

The english composer Gavin Bryars began his career as a jazz bassist with Joseph Holbrooke, Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley."Vita Nova" is a wonderful record and the two last compositions - "Four Elements" and "Sub Rosa" - are simply haunting!

Here are the first three records by this norwegian band that was formed in 1986. They've had in their original line-up the musician Geir Jenssen who left the group to pursue a solo career with his experimental/techno project Biosphere.Many resemblances to the 4AD sound.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

A.C. Marias was a solo project by Dome/Wire collaborator Angela Conway and this record was her only full length release.She was assisted here by Bruce Gilbert, Barry Adamson, Rowland S. Howard, John Fryer and Gareth Jones.

Monday, 26 January 2009

Pieter Nooten & Michael Brook - Sleeps With the Fishes (1987)"Sleeps With the Fishes" was Pieter Nooten's 1st album since he had left Clan of Xymox.
With some interpretations of Xymox themes along with new ones as well, this 4AD release had the participation of guitarist Michael Brook (and Brian Eno's collaboration!).
An excellent dark, ambient record.

It's hard to imagine this collaboration between Pieter Nooten and ambient, experimental guitarist Michael Brook working any better. (Taken from AMG)

Here's a wonderful band from the prolific dance movement of the 90's.Actually, my favourite record of The Aloof is the less dance oriented one - "Seeking Pleasure" - which is really an amazing alternative rock album almost with no sign of electronics.Don't miss it!

"Double Articulation" is the remix album of the french philosopher Gilles Deleuze tribute compilation "Folds and Rhizomes for Gilles Deleuze".Contributions of Scanner, David Shea, Mouse on Mars, Oval, Main and Tobias Hazan.Enjoy!

Friday, 23 January 2009

Cinerama is The Wedding Present's founder, David Gedge, main project at the moment."Cinerama Holiday" is a good introduction to the band, compiling singles and B sides.Much in the vein of pop bands like Pulp.

Thisis Vol. 2 of the DITCOHAN compilation, a collection of songs containing released and unreleased solo material by this "guru" of the dark-cosmic poetry.I will have in the future some more posts of him and of his band, The Legendary Pink Dots.Ka-Spel is widely regarded as a genius bordering on madness, which explains the frequent comparisons to Syd Barrett... (Taken from AMG)

The Wild Swans is one of the most underrated bands of the 80's.Here are two originals and a 2 CD compilation containing BBC sessions, live tracks, rare demos, alternative versions and original mixes, recorded between 1981-1986.

The haunting voice of Paul Simpson injects every track with emotional weight; whether he is trying to convey joy or sorrow, his icy baritone chills to the bone. Simpson's dramatic voice vividly illustrates the stories in his songs. (Taken from AMG)

Here's an amazing album by these swedish prog-rockers that started to play in the early 90's. They've had collaboration in the past of the Spiritual Beggars/Opeth keyboardist, Per Wiberg."A Time of Day" is their 5th and most recent effort.A great band and a great record!

A few weeks ago I've posted Friday's version of "Peter & the Wolf".Now I've opted to add 3 more records from the discography of this Virgin Prunes co-founder.Three classic masterpieces from wich I choose "Shag Tobacco" as my favourite one.Don't miss it!

Friday, 16 January 2009

Seigmen became quite famous in their homeland, Norway, with several releases during the 90's from wich I choose "Total" as their most complete effort. There are parts where the combination between the Cure-ish fingered guitars ("Disintegration" era) and some more heavy riffing is perfect!They still continue to play and they've even recorded a live reunion album in 2006, though it's a shame that there hasn't been any new studio material.

Euro Boys - Jet Age (1997)As promised, here's Euro Boys first record.
Not as contemplative as "Long Day's Flight 'Till Tomorrow", they were really "in for the action" here!
The album's overture is a good proof of that: a cover version of Lalo Schifrin's classic soundtrack "Enter the Dragon".
Don't miss it!

Boston based group Drop Nineteens made two records during their short career in the early 90's."Delaware" was their first one and I think it will appeal to fans of Chapterhouse, My Bloody Valentine or Ride.Enjoy!

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

The Wake - Here Comes Everybody (1985)The Wake was the band wich first introduced us to Bobby Gillespie, then as a bass player.
These are 2001 and 2002 reissues of their first 2 records and they contain several tracks originally released as singles and Peel sessions.
Will appeal to fans of Joy Division, Felt, Echo & the Bunnymen...

Monday, 12 January 2009

Klaus Schulze & Lisa Gerrard - Farscape [CD 2] (2008)"Farscape" was the first collaboration between space rock wizard Klaus Schulze and Lisa Gerrard.
Due to the prominency of the people involved here, the expectations were a "bit" high, so it might be possible that some of you will get a little disappointed. Still, it is worth listen.

These two characters made history in the 90's playing cover versions of classic pop/rock anthems such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Are You Gonna Go My Way?", "Ziggy Stardust", "Born to Be Wild" or "Whole Lotta Love", using a wide variety of moog and minimoog synthesizers along with other electronic instruments as well.They've released only two albuns, so... here they are!